Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
08VIENNA1242
2008-08-28 14:56:00
CONFIDENTIAL
Embassy Vienna
Cable title:  

AUSTRIA TO SEEK EU CONSENSUS ON KOSOVO ICJ

Tags:  PREL UN UNGA KV AU 
pdf how-to read a cable
VZCZCXRO0827
RR RUEHFL RUEHKW RUEHLA RUEHROV RUEHSR
DE RUEHVI #1242 2411456
ZNY CCCCC ZZH
R 281456Z AUG 08
FM AMEMBASSY VIENNA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 0838
INFO RUEHZL/EUROPEAN POLITICAL COLLECTIVE
C O N F I D E N T I A L VIENNA 001242 

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/SCE AND EUR/CE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/28/2018
TAGS: PREL UN UNGA KV AU
SUBJECT: AUSTRIA TO SEEK EU CONSENSUS ON KOSOVO ICJ
RESOLUTION

REF: STATE 91908

Classified by: Acting Economic-Political Counselor Philip
Kaplan for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).

C O N F I D E N T I A L VIENNA 001242

SIPDIS

DEPARTMENT FOR EUR/SCE AND EUR/CE

E.O. 12958: DECL: 08/28/2018
TAGS: PREL UN UNGA KV AU
SUBJECT: AUSTRIA TO SEEK EU CONSENSUS ON KOSOVO ICJ
RESOLUTION

REF: STATE 91908

Classified by: Acting Economic-Political Counselor Philip
Kaplan for reasons 1.4 (b) and (d).


1. (C) Acting Econ/Pol Couns discussed reftel points August
28 with Franz-Josef Kuglitsch, MFA director for Southeast
Europe. Kuglitsch said the GOA holds conflicting views
regarding Serbia's proposal to refer the lawfulness of
Kosovo's independence declaration to the International Court
of Justice (ICJ). He said he and other MFA colleagues view
Serbia's case as legally weak and politically foolish. They
fear it could have a destabilizing effect in the Balkans and
embolden hardliners in Serbia. At the same time, though, the
GOA strongly supports the rule of law, and would therefore
not vote against a resolution to refer the matter to the ICJ.



2. (C) Kuglitsch said the GOA is hoping the EU can agree on a
common position when it addresses the issue at the September
9 meeting of legal experts in Brussels. If EU members reach
a common position to support the resolution, then Austria
would vote in favor; if they agree to oppose the resolution,
then Austria would abstain, he said. Kuglitsch could not
predict how Austria would vote if the EU fails to reach a
common position.
Girard-diCarlo